For Participating Businesses
Every December since 2013, businesses across the Upper Valley have set aside a share of their sales, a donation bin, or a sign by the register for the Upper Valley Haven. This page has everything you need to take part this year.
Every gift this December is matched, dollar for dollar up to $200,000, by the Jack & Dorothy Byrne Foundation!
Sign up
To sign up, email Matt at mtaylor@uppervalleyhaven.org with
- your business/organization name and logo
- how you’re taking part, such as a percent of sales, a drive, or an event
- the dates
- your website and social media handles
- if you’d like counter signs or an 18×24 poster, and how many (while supplies last)
We’ll add you to the participating businesses page, share your plans on the Haven’s Facebook and Instagram, and include you in our E-News. Tag us in your own posts and we’ll reshare them!
Ways to take part
Percent of sales
Some businesses choose a single day to donate a portion of their sales to support our work, others do the whole month.
Round up at the register
Ask customers if they’d like to round up their total.
Host a drive
Set out a bin for customers to donate food or toiletries. All donations go right to our Community Food Market. A list of most needed items is below.
Host an event
A tasting, a customer night, a holiday sale. Tell us the date and we’ll help promote it!
Share the link
Put the Giving Days donate link in your newsletter, on your website, or on social media.
Copy and graphics
Use any of these as written for your communications/marketing, or adjust them to sound like you. If you need something different, get in touch!
Short description (for flyers and counter signs)
Haven Giving Days is a community-wide effort each December when local businesses and organizations come together to support the Upper Valley Haven. Donations and food drives help provide meals, shelter, and essential items for families across the region.
Longer description (for websites, newsletters, or social media)
Haven Giving Days continues the 19 Days of the Valley tradition started in 2013 by Dan Fraser of Dan & Whit’s in Norwich, VT. Each December, local businesses contribute a portion of sales, host food and toiletry drives, and inspire acts of generosity throughout our community. Every dollar and every pound of food collected helps the Upper Valley Haven provide food, shelter, and support to thousands of people each year.
Learn more at uppervalleyhaven.org/givingdays
Social post
We’re proud to be part of this year’s Haven Giving Days, supporting the Upper Valley Haven. Visit us this December to join in giving local! [Details about your offer, drive, or how you’re participating]
Host a drive
Everything collected goes to the Haven’s Community Food Market, where customers choose what they need. Drop off at the Hartford Avenue Campus, 713 Hartford Ave in White River Junction, Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 4:00pm.
What helps most right now
- Ready-to-eat snacks and meals
- Canned soup, tuna, chicken, fruit
- Instant Oatmeal
- Granola bars- soft
- Peanut butter/nut butter
- Boxed macaroni and cheese
- Ground coffee
- Protein Bars
- Any full-size toiletries
What we cannot accept
- Canned goods more than a year past the date on the label
- Homemade food, or anything without nutrition facts on the package
- Clothing, with occasional exceptions for winter gear. Listen Community Services takes clothing donations
How it started
In 2013, a customer at Dan & Whit’s in Norwich filled a basket with groceries and mentioned at checkout that the Haven’s food shelf was nearly empty. Dan Fraser matched her donation, then decided the store would give 1% of its sales for the first 19 days of December.
He asked other Norwich businesses to join. That first year they raised over $10,000 for the Haven. The campaign was called 19 Days of the Valley until 2025, when it became Haven Giving Days.
Questions
Please reach out if you have any questions, would like unique materials designed, or anything else!
Matt Taylor
Communications Manager
mtaylor@uppervalleyhaven.org
802-478-1806
Upper Valley Haven
713 Hartford Avenue
White River Junction, VT 05001